It didn't take long for new Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs' dad to figure out his son was special.

If you've been following along with the stories on Downs after the 2026 NFL Draft , it's clear to see he's just built different. Not only is he a supremely-talented player, but Downs is also very intelligent, with Will McClay calling him a "football savant."

"He understands concepts," McClay said. "When you say what type of scheme you're gonna run, he understands how the different pieces work and fit together."

"He's a football savant because things just work that way in his head," McClay added.

How Gary Downs knew Caleb was special

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Caleb Downs.…